Spring/Summer Pest Tips For Commercial Properties

Updated: Apr 2, 2018

As spring is upon us, pest issues can create unwanted havoc for your guests and employees. Pest issues can also do long term damage to your brand. Early spring is a great time for your staff to survey the property to insure pests do not have easy avenues on the exterior to exploit your property. Below are some tips to use while surveying the exterior of your property.

Dumpsters

Inspect for cracks and damage to the dumpster pad. Once these are identified take steps to seal and repair. Also insure the expansion joint adjoining the wall of the dumpster corral is sealed. These are great harborage sites for rodents and fly larvae as well as other pests.

Inspect the perimeter of the dumpster pad for rodent burrowing. If burrows are found, notify your pest provider to eliminate the issue.

Remove items stored or debris surrounding the dumpster corral. These are harborage areas for pests and prevent the proper cleaning of the dumpster area.

Inspect the dumpster to insure doors are closed and undamaged. These provide access for rodents, raccoons, opossums, etc. If left open notify staff to keep closed after use. If damaged, request another dumpster from your provider.

Insure the plug on the dumpster or compactor is installed. These normally range from 1 1/4" to 1 1/2". Rats can enter holes 1/2" are larger and mice can enter holes 1/4" are larger. Larger animals such as skunks can become stuck trying to enter these holes. If these plugs are open or damaged, contact your waste provider to correct.

Have a protocol in place for cleaning the dumpster corral to remove food debris. This should also include the area underneath the dumpster. Food items are a great attractants for rodents, flies, wildlife and other pests.

Inspect the dumpster corral or compactor area for standing water. Take steps to remove standing water that are breeding sites for mosquitoes as well as attractants for rodents and wildlife.

Take steps to insure all food items are bagged prior to being placed inside the dumpster. Food spillage inside the dumpster that is not removed can be a major breeding site for house flies. Each house fly female can lay 100-150 eggs and the normal life cycle from egg to adult is 10-21 days.

Provide regular cleaning schedule of the dumpster and have your provider routinely replace your dumpster with a clean dumpster.

Landscaping

Inspect for any tree limbs touching the structure and remove. Along with damage they can do to the structure, limbs are used by pest such as ants to gain access to the building.

Cut vegetation back 3 feet from the foundation. Again, ants can use vegetation to gain access to the structure. The 3 feet barrier also provides ample area to inspect the foundation for damage and burrowing activity from rodents.

Typically there should be no more than a 3 inch depth when placing mulch. As you go over the 3 inches it restricts moisture from gaining access to the root systems of the plants inside your landscape. It also becomes a harborage area for pests such as ants, earwigs, centipedes, millipedes, etc.

Insure the landscape around the perimeter of the building drains properly. Standing water provides breeding sites for mosquitos and attractants for other pests such as large cockroaches, rodents, etc.

Any containers collecting water on the property should be removed or emptied and cleaned regularly. Female mosquitoes can lay 100 to 300 eggs about every third day of their lifespan.

If bird feeders exist on the property and cannot be removed, make sure spillage underneath the feeder is cleaned. This is a major attractant for rodents onto the property.

Remove any standing water on roof. These are great sites for mosquitoes and attractants for other pests.

Remove any leaf clutter and other debris buildup on the roof. These are used by ants for nesting and gives easy access to the interior of the structure.

Remove any old equipment or parts that have been left on the roof. These can be used for nesting sites for wasps.

Inspect the exhaust vents on the roof to insure they are properly screened. This will prevent insects, rodents and wildlife from gaining access as well as buildup of leaves inside the vent.

Inspect the roof for stinging pests such as wasps. Contact your pest provider for removal if found.

2. Pitched Roof

Inspect gutters and downspouts for debris buildup and proper drainage. These are great nesting areas for pests such as ants.

Visually inspect shingles, tiles, etc. for obvious damage and repair. For full inspection of roofing contact a licensed roofer.

Inspect the exhaust vents on the roof to insure they are properly screened. This will prevent insects, rodents and wildlife from gaining access as well as buildup of leaves inside the vent.

Structure Perimeter

Inspect doors for missing or damaged door sweeps and replace. These are great entry points for rodents and insects.

Astragals(brush between double doors) should be inspected for damage or missing. These are great entry points for flies.

Insure doors and windows remain closed as much as possible. Discourage staff from propping doors open. If windows are screened, inspect for damage, and replace as needed.

Inspect window trim for gaps and seal as needed.

Inspect soffit for openings, damage or missing vents. These are easy access points for rodents and wildlife.

Inspect weep holes on brick structures for openings. These are entry points for many different insects to the interior of the structure. Click on the provided link for solutions to proofing weep holes.

Inspect points where utilities enter the building and seal any openings found.

If you have any additional questions, Epituer Pest Solutions, LLC can be reached at 865-363-1155 or click here.